School Blog

Articles in this blog may be ESE news, academics pieces written by our team or events in Malta of general interest.

Calendar of Events in Malta – What’s on in Winter.

19th November – 9th December

MALTA INTERNATIONAL ORGAN FESTIVAL – around Malta

Undoubtedly, one of the largest events during this time of the year for art and classical music lovers is the Malta International Organ Festival. A festival surely not to be missed with 17 concerts by world renowned musicians in the Cathedrals, Basilicas and Churches across the Maltese Islands.
The festival brings together world renowned, top-notch musicians with some of the greatest music written for the organ, performed in chapels, churches, basilicas and cathedrals that showcase some of the Maltese Islands’ most stunning architectural and artistic heritage.

THE NUTCRACKER – THE ROYAL BALLET LIVE– Eden Cinemas St. Georges Bay, St. Julians

The Royal Ballet celebrates Peter Wright’s 90th birthday with his much-loved production of this beautiful ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score. The Royal Ballet’s glorious production of The Nutcracker, created by Peter Wright in 1984, is the production par excellence of an all-time ballet favourite.

It is Christmas Eve and Drosselmeyer the magician sweeps young Clara away on a fantasy adventure in which time is suspended, the family living room becomes a great battlefield, and a magical journey takes them through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. Tchaikovsky’s glittering score, the gorgeous festive stage designs and The Royal Ballet’s captivating dancing including an exquisite pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince – make this Nutcracker the quintessential Christmas experience.

9th December – 3rd January

BETHLEHEM F’GĦAJNSIELEM (Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem)– Ghajnsielem, Gozo

Bethlem f’Ghajnsielem is an animated nativity village spread on 20,000sqm of land. It offers naturalistic reproduction of Bethlehem 2000 years ago and the timeless story of the Nativity every December at ‘Ta Passi’ fields in Ghajnsielem.

On entrance, a map is given to all visitors to enhance the overall experience. Attractions include the carpenter and the blacksmith’s dwellings, the bakery, a market selling fruits, fresh fish and vegetables, a tavern, a local crafts area and a barn. Each dwelling is inhabited and animated by whole families, to remind everyone that Christmas is a celebration of the family. The tavern offers local food and wine. A picnic area provides the unique surroundings for a family outing on Sundays while oil lamps will be distributed for those who want to visit Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem by night. Fresh water will be flowing along these structures through a small stream with various water features. The main attraction is certainly the grotto, with baby Jesus in the caring hands of Mary assisted by Joseph with a donkey and a cow close by.

Omid Djalili is back with his brand new world tour “Schmuck for a Night”! The award winning comedian and actor will be performing in Malta for 2 nights, at The Intercontinental Arena Conference Centre on the 10th and 11th December 2016. Omid promises a hilarious evening, jam packed with brand new, ridiculously funny material! Age suitable for: 16+

Born in Paris France, Richard Clayderman comes from one of the world’s cradles of music. With recordings of over 1,300 melodies and the creation of new romantic styles together with a repertoire combining his trademark originals with a mix of classics and pop standards, Clayderman achieved global success with record sales reaching 150 million. Richard Clayderman is also noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as being “the most successful pianist in the world”. Richard Clayderman will be joined with his string octet who will be showcasing years of achievement from his massive repertoire for those who enjoy the melodies of good music.

This Christmas season, Masquerade Theatre Company returns with another action-packed laugh-out-loud Christmas pantomime. Following past panto successes like Little Red Riding Hood and You Know Who as well as The Curse of Snow White, this year’s audiences will be treated to the story of Puss in Boots. Written by Malcolm Galea, who will also be making a return in the role of dame following 2014’s unforgettable Auntie Patka, the show will be directed by Anthony Bezzina with musical direction in the hands of Kris Spiteri while Elena Zammit will be in charge of choreography.

31st December

THE VALLETTA NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION – around Valletta

A free New Year’s Eve event in the Capital City. This year the festive atmosphere will be organised throughout most of Valletta. The festive atmosphere will be enhanced through a series of high quality entertainment activities at various strategic spots around the capital. Bring the Christmas season and the year to an end with a spectacular finale!

Focus on Fluency

organ – a large musical instrument with pipes of different length, played by pressing keys
stunning – very beautiful
top-notch – very high in quality
a score – a piece of music for a particular group of instruments or voices
foot stomping – something which makes you want to dance with the beat
amplification- to make the sound louder
up and coming – likely to develop, become successful, or become popular soon
symposium – a meeting where experts discuss a particular subject
percussion – musical instruments such as drums, cymbals, or rattles that are played by hitting or shaking them.
diverse – very different from each other
quintessential – perfect
blacksmith- someone who makes things out of metal
dwellings- a house, flat, or other shelter in which someone lives
tavern – an old word meaning ‘pub’
jam-packed – full
feline – belonging to the cat family.
pantomime – a play for children that makes them laugh, based on a traditional story and usually performed at Christmas.
dame – a man dressed as an old woman who performs in a Christmas pantomime
boasts – to have something good, often an attractive feature that other people admire

Author: Amanda Jayne De gabrieleAbout the Author:Amanda Jayne De gabriele is the Academic Group and International Foundation Year Coordinator at ESE. Since joining ESE in October 2005 she has taught students of various ages and nationalities. In the summer months you will find Amanda heading our new school at the Salini Resort. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching films and series as well as baking.

About this blog

Articles in this blog may be ESE news, academics pieces written by our team or events in Malta of general interest. Please feel free to write to us with any comments, suggestions or any articles you may have written and would like to share with us and our students.

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